Documents released by the National Archives at Kew under the 30-year rule record phone calls and urgent letters between the Premier and Scilly Islands Council.

The exchange began when newspapers reported on January 14, 1976, that the council planned to ban visitors' dogs to prevent the spread of rabies from France.

Mr Wilson had a holiday home in the Scillies and the documents show family pooch Paddy's attendance there was non-negotiable.

A letter to Mr Wilson from Roland Phillips, the council's chief executive, dated January 14, says a colleague "rang me late last night to warn me that the committee's deliberations yesterday on the subject of rabies was blowing up into a lot of stupidity hinging round your poor unfortunate dog."

Mr Phillips said he understood the Premier was "furious", and added: "I can appreciate it."

The letter explained concerns about animals coming ashore off yachts from the Continent.

It said the council had discussed whether hoteliers could be persuaded to refuse to accept guests with dogs.

Mr Phillips wrote: "There was absolutely no intention of trying to effect any control over "residents' dogs", in which category you would, of course, come, and the whole arrangement would have to be entirely voluntary."

He concluded: "Our sincere apologies for the way in which all this has been blown up into a lot of nonsense around you. I suppose it is inevitable!"

The letter seemingly failed to reassure Mr Wilson and No 10 drafted letters in response.

A note to Mr Wilson headlined PADDY, dated January 16, reads: "Below is a letter for your signature in reply to one from the chief executive explaining that they have no intention of banning Paddy from the islands."

A handwritten note signed with the initials HW reads: "Please see draft and have worked at quickly."